Carly Simon’s Starbucks lawsuit claims the label didn’t properly promote her new record. Now Carly Simon is suing, claiming Starbucks’ actions led to poor sales.
Last year she was set to release “This Kind Of Love” on the coffee-chain owned label called Hear Music. The problems began a few days before the release, when according to the New York Times, the label began to “scale back” its promotion efforts. Sounds like they didn’t have their coffee that week!
The singer claims the alleged lack of promotion had a major impact on sales. The suit also alleges that the CD wasn’t abundantly available in a “substantial manner” at the coffee shop locations, and that the price was reduced.
The lawsuit states that by reducing the price “…Starbucks stigmatized Ms. Simon’s album as an album that could not be sold at full price.”
So what does Hear Music have to say about the suit? Well, a spokeswoman for Starbucks said they are “disappointed” to hear about it, and that they have “great respect” for the singer. The spokeswoman went on to say:
“…(the company) is hopeful that this matter can be resolved in an amicable manner.”
They aren’t buying the claim that it’s their fault her record sales were low, saying:
“Unfortunately, sales continued to lag as the title received tepid response from music consumers.”
Ouch. Tepid. So it seems like the company thinks the music was just bad!
I’m not sure whose side I’m on in this. I do have to say I’m glad the lawsuit isn’t over a hot cup of coffee spilled in Carly Simon’s lap! On the other hand, how silly is it to sue based upon the claim that reducing the price would somehow cause the consumer to think…”hmmm.. this album is priced a little low…the music must not be that good.” I mean, really? If anything, you’d think they would say “woohooo! This album by an artist I like is on sale!”
I’m just saying. What are your thoughts? Please let us hear it below.
Check out some photos and video of Carly Simon actually performing at a Starbucks.
Photos: www.wenn.com/Tina Paul
October 12th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
How pretentious! She was pretentious way back when she thought we really cared that she got jilted by mr. vain, and she’s pretentious now to believe anyone wants to listen to her cr*$$y music. Starbucks and her deserve each other.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Tssss Starbucks!
Carly Simon is a brilliant writer.
Starbucks knows about marketing and they treated this CD and Carly Simon like old a day old muffin. What a pity.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Carly Simon–you’re so vain! Get over yourself! You are creating TONS more bad publicity for yourself than Starbucks ever did by discounting an unpopular CD! You are lucky they were even interested in promoting you in the first place. How tacky can you get???
October 12th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Ok, honestly I have never heard of Carly Simons. I’m not saying she is a bad or good singer, however, I don’t think she should be blaming Starbucks for her lack in CD sells. I talent is what sells, and if she is really a good singer it wouldn’t matter where or how much her CD cost…it would still sky rocket in sales. I mean George Strait has some CDs that are lower priced, but they still have outrageous sales. I’m just saying this is one of those times where the person just needs to take responsibility for their own actions.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Having Starbucks do your distribution is mistake number one. They still have never even got anybody cool to even by their coffee let alone be caught dead shopping for music there. Let it go Carly
October 13th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Give me a break! everyone knows that starbucks doesn’t ‘promote’ music-they set cd’s out at the counter and as a pick-up item to grab (or not) with your coffee. what did she expect-they are a coffee chain, not RCA!